Missionary Alumnus Leads Tsunami Relief Efforts

Hartensveld (right) and missionary
Terry Paschal stand in the rubble of a junior high school
that lost 20% of its student population. Hartensveld’s
team rebuilt this school in May 2006.

Since 1990, Jeff Hartensveld (M.A. 1989) and his
wife, Liz, have been missionary church planters in Indonesia—the
world’s largest Muslim nation.

After
the devastating tsunami hit Indonesia and many parts of Asia in
2004, Indonesia alone lost nearly 200,000 people. Jeff asked God
what he should do. “I felt compelled to respond,” says
Jeff. “Initially I went up there with AG World Missions Asia
Pacific Regional Director Russ Turney (M.A. 1976) to see what we
could do. The Indonesian Air Force, along with International Co-operative
Alliance, sent several tons of food but it wasn’t enough.
During the first week I flew about 30 rescue missions, some on
the USS Abraham Lincoln, as a translator. The desperation I witnessed
gripped me. Response from the AG around the world was beyond our
imagination.

“For the last two years, I have had the opportunity
to lead a team that supplies food, temporary survival items and
school supplies. We are able to aid in rebuilding livelihoods,
provide trauma relief and assist in rebuilding communities. I was
once asked, ‘Why haven’t you rebuilt any churches?’ The
answer is easy. Before the tsunami there weren’t any in the
affected province outside of the provincial capital. We’ve
been so privileged these last 21 months to show the kindness and
love of Christ. Although I can’t give specifics, we know
it is bearing fruit.”

Abu (right) lost his entire family in the tsunami. Hartensveld is helping him
rebuild his home and coffee shop.